Drop cord



De; 23, 1930. c. D. WAYNE 1,786,276

DROP CORD Filed Jan. 11, 1929 5M3 Zw .4 T T01? NECK" Patented Dec. 23, 1930 CARL WAYNE, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA DROP CORD Application filed January 11, 1929. Serial No. 331,812.

My invention relates to an improved flexible, electric cable of the kind commonly known or referred to as drop cords.

The main object of the invention is to provide a durable, flexible cord particularly useful for such purposes as connecting electric irons with an electric socket, for electrically operated carpet cleaners, portable motors or for-any other purpose where a durable and 0 flexible electric cord or cable is needed. Hitherto plain pairs of insulated wires wound spirally to form a cable have been commonly used and various kinds of reenforcing means used at the socket end or at the end connected to the electric apparatus, to strengthen and prolong the life of such conductor means. It is another object of my invention to eliminate the use of such reenforcing means and embody certain features of construction in the cable itself, as hereinafter fully described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,--

Fig. 1 is a partly sectional longitudinal elevation of my improved electric cable disclosing a preferred construction of it.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged right hand end elevation of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by reference letters, my improved cable comprises first a central cord A preferably of linen or other'suitable braided, woven, or twisted fabric and having considerable strength and ample flexibility. Said cord A is imbedded in or surrounded by a non-conductive insulation B. C and D are a pair of insulated current conductors and one of which as C is designated red to differentiate between the two for reasons well known in the art.

The wires C and D are wound in close coils about the center insulation B and form the main body'of my improved cable.

E is an outer coating of insulation materialsurrounding the coils of C and D, said coating preferably being plain rubber or sheet rubber material with imbedded woven fabric. In some cases the cable may be made with this latter coating E comprising the exterior of it but for a more expensive, sightly, and longer lasting cable a fabric coverin F may be embodied although it will be rea ily seen that the latter would ibilitypf the cable. I,

In appearance the cable is plain and its conductor elements 13 and C are accessible at either end of the cable for connection with the terminals of any electric connection or apparatus.

The central insulation B is of course also preferably of rubber or an equivalent flexible and elastic material.

The non-elastic but flexible strand or cord A adds strength to the cable without affecting its flexibility and the elastic elements B and E give the cable the desired flexibility,

perhaps reduce the flexthe coiled conductors retained between them also having a certain amount of give or resiliency but resisting any tendency to bend or twist the cable at any point.

The central cord A is a particular feature of this device giving strength and flexibility but preventing breakage when any strain is exerted on the cable lengthwise, yet not affecting the pliability or normal bending or curvature of the cord while in use.

I claim:

A flexible cable comprising a helically arranged conducting element, a central flexible core and a fabric cord ele ent within said core, and an outer coating of elastic non-conductive material about said conductor element.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CARL D. WAYNE. 

